In Florida, disputes over a person’s property after they have died are unfortunately common. The objective of probate is to “prove” the person’s will and make sure their assets are distributed as they desired. However, the state also has contingencies in place to...
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Probate
Is there a time limit to contest a will?
When a loved one passes away, it is rarely a happy time. And, for most, they pass away without an estate plan. However, for those that do pass with a will, you may find that their will does not say what you thought it would say. Or, you may find that you did not get...
What should I know about the personal representative’s role?
Floridians who are preparing for the future by having an estate plan should know that it goes beyond simply writing a will. There are other key aspects of the process that must not be ignored. A personal representative plays a critical role in probate. Understanding...
What are the tasks of a personal representative?
You have been appointed the personal representative of a loved one’s estate, but do you know what this really means? If you are like many in Florida the answer is, “Kind of … maybe?” Being the personal representative of a loved one’s estate is an honor, but it comes...
What happens if you don’t have a will
If a resident of the Fort Lauderdale area dies without a will, then Florida law will decide how the property of their estate will be divided. Like other states, Florida has a law that spells out how a resident of this state’s property will get divided if the person...
Probate administration options in Florida
Most Florida residents try to avoid the probate process if possible, assuming it to be costly, complex and lengthy. Unfortunately, the estates of Florida residents who die without a will must go through probate, which is the legal process of distributing a person’s...
What is the role of a personal representative in Florida probate?
When a person in Fort Lauderdale passes away, their estate generally must be probated. Probate is the legal process through which their assets are located, debts and taxes are paid out of the estate and the remainder distributed to the decedent’s heirs. Overseeing...
Transfer on death may avoid probate
Probate may be a lengthy, inconvenient, and costly process. Transfer on death designations, however, allow the transfer of assets to designated beneficiaries after a person’s death without undergoing probate. TOD A TOD designation allows the beneficiaries or a spouse...
What happens if you can’t find your mother’s will?
When a Fort Lauderdale area resident’s parent passes away it can be an emotional time. Besides dealing with the grief that comes with a death of a family member, there can also be important legal matters to attend to. Settling a loved one’s estate is one such matter...
What happens to estate assets during probate?
When someone dies, the assets of the deceased must go through the process of probate, during which the oversight of inheritances, bequests, trust allocations, the settling of debts and death taxes, and the payment of funeral expenses takes place. From a legal...
Jennifer D. Sharpe
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